copaiva

• HYPHEN: co=pai=va

CIDE DICTIONARY

copaiva, n. [Sp. & Pg., fr. Brazil. cupaúba.].

 A more or less viscid, yellowish liquid, the bitter oleoresin of several species of Copaifera, a genus of trees growing in South America and the West Indies. It is stimulant and diuretic, and was formerly much used in affections of the mucous membranes. It is also used in varnishes and lacquers, and in cleaning oil paintings. -- called also balsam of copaiba, copaiba balsam, balsam capivi, and Jesuits' resin.  [1913 Webster]